8pm, Spitz, Old Spitalfields Market, 109 Commercial Street, E1. £12. Tube: Liverpool Street Veirs is one of America's most promising female singersongwriters. Her introspective brand of countrified folk, as heard on her ethereal debut, Carbon Glacier, is sure to prove a mesmerising live experience at this charming venue.

Until 9pm, National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Place, WC2. £7, £4.50 concs. Tube: Charing Cross A collection of portraits from the photographer who helped define eras with his sparkling pictures of the rich and famous. Some of his wartime work is also on show, adding depth to the glitz. 020 7306 0055

Olafur Eliasson's Midnight Sun

Until 10pm, Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1. FREE! Tube: Southwark, St Paul's After a hugely successful few months, the sun is finally setting on this unique exhibit. The Icelandic/Danish artist has created an ethereal monochrome world that has enraptured experienced gallerygoers and curious walk-ins alike.

020 7887 8000

London Beer and Cider Festival

5-10.30pm, Camden Centre, Bidborough Street, WC1. £2.50. Tube: Euston, King's Cross The north London wing of Camra hosts this boozy festival, featuring a hearty range of real ales, ciders and beers from around the world, plus live music.

10.30pm-3am, Camden Barfly, 49 Chalk Farm Road, NW1. £7, £5 concs. Tube: Chalk Farm A favoured haunt of the Libertines, this indie-punk night has a reputation for having one of the most raucous mosh-pits in London.

8pm, The Albany, Douglas Way, SE8. £10, £8 concs. Tube: New Cross The former Never Mind The Buzzcocks captain and Perrier award-winning comic Hughes has turned himself into a writer specialising in angst-ridden black comedy. He reads a selection of poetry and short stories.

56 Maple Street, W1. £60 for two with wine. Tube: Goodge Street Decorated in a lovely Mediterranean hue of blue, this Greek restaurant is welcoming, and the cooking has real high points - skate wing in black butter is a must.

020 7580 4819

STAYING IN

DVD: Love Actually

Emma Thompson and Bill Nighy, in particular, put in fine performances in this money-spinning, star-laden Brit flick. For some critics, its smug sentimentality proved a little hard to bear, but watched in the right frame of mind, it's heart-warming fare.

SHOWS

Chicago

5pm, 8.30pm, Adelphi Theatre, WC2. £15-£40. Tube: Charing Cross Not even constant changes of personnel can dim the panache of this snazzy, jazzy musical. Walter Bobbie's direction is as taut as his sassy actresses' G-strings.